CHILD PROTECTION LAWS AND ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Globally, especially in eastern cultures, children are expected to be Submissive to their parents. Such a compliant approach towards children may have been successful in providing a limited part of their needs i.e. Food, shelter, education and health nonetheless the same acquired behavior of a child in general may expose and trap him into exploitation, abuse, and neglect particularly the children out of school, victims of Trafficking, sexual abuse, with disabilities, of less privileged families and those of imprisoned parents. Hence the wisdom of Legislature has enunciated some laws for the protection of children. This study mainly revolves around the Laws mandating child protection both nationally, legislated in Pakistan and those, ratified by Pakistan internationally and also the extent to which Pakistan is signatory. Besides legislature it also highlights what role civil society can play to safeguard children from aforesaid abuses and some challenges faced in the Implementation of Child protection laws.